Thank you.

Thank you to the readers of the Albert Lea Tribune for making our opinion page, called Hometown Forum, one of the best in the state of Minnesota.

At the Minnesota Newspaper Association conference last Thursday, the Tribune won first place in the category of Editorial Page as a Whole. The Tribune competed against other daily newspapers with circulation sizes up to 10,000. The Red Wing Republican Eagle came in second.

Tribune readers deserve praise because your letters to the editor help make this page great. Unlike many newspapers, we place letters at the top of the page because we value what you have to say.

The judge of the Editorial Page category wrote: &8220;Well-designed pages with emphasis on letters to the editor. Variety of columns with a balance of local and syndicated writers. &8216;What They Said&8217; feature is very readable and a nice component to the page. &8216;Let It Snow&8217; was short and bright; a nice change of pace for readers.&8221;

The contest required the Tribune send in pages from certain dates. Most had stern editorials on such topics as school funding, but one had a fun editorial on snow. You have told us you like how our editorials cover an array of subjects. Your feedback makes a difference and it has helped this page get statewide attention.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Please keep those letters coming in.